The Top 200 Canadian restaurant chains accounted for $27.8 billion in sales in 2012, comprising roughly 60 percent of Canada's total restaurant sales, according to data from Technomic. Keeping on par with the foodservice industry, the Top 200 chains saw sales grow 4.3 percent in 2012. Additionally, unit growth jumped 2.5 percent to total 25,070 stores.

Technomic's Top 200 Canadian Chain Restaurant Report found limited-service chains accounted for 73.8 percent or $20.5 billion of total Top 200 sales and 85.8 percent or 21,509 units. Sales increased 4.9 percent from the prior year and units increased 2.6 percent. The fastest growing limited-service categories were Asian, other beverages and coffee café — up 10.1 percent, 7.6 percent and 6.1 percent, respectively.

Full-service chains saw sales grow 2.5 percent to a total of $7.3 billion in 2012. Overall, full-service chains netted an increase of 1.6 percent units for a total of 3,561. The full-service segment made up 26.2 percent of sales and 14.2 per cent of Top 200 units.

"Organizations are adapting to consumer needs. We're seeing the Canadian foodservice landscape grow as ethnic influences and international competitors look to leave their mark," said Darren Tristano, executive vice president of Technomic. "Further expansion of U.S.-based Five Guys Burger and Fries, Panera and Chipotle into Canada will strengthen some of the country's smaller clusters like limited-service bakery café and Mexican."

On October 22, Technomic will provide a deep dive into the Canadian restaurant industry at its annual Canadian Restaurants Trends & Directions Conference in Brampton, Ontario. Additional details and registration information is available online.